Check your Maxillaria tenuifolias!

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I got mine many years ago, before I discovered orchid information was on the internet. I had no real idea how to grow it so I treated it like a Cattleya and potted it up in red lava rock. About five years ago, I buried much of it when putting it in a larger basket pot and every year now, I get new blades of 'grass' poking up out of the rock around the main mass. I have the entire thing sitting in a bowl of water (it loves water).
It will live with lower light but it really prefers Cattleya light. It seems pretty tolerant temperature-wise. Hope this helps!

Thank you. Mine is a variabilis,red variety,which was lovely some 3 yrs ago when bought so at the right time think I'll repot. Has been under grow lights and watered regularly.But keep your eye out for schunkeana-given to me recently and has nearly black flowers...I kid you not!Having luck with this one.Another cutie is arbuscula!

[Leafmite]

Is the schunkeana fragrant? I just bought a Max. alba.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Checked mine a week ago & no sign of anything yet.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Would like to know more about culture. One I have is getting closer to the compost each day unless I get it some help. I'm doing a lousy job!

I agree with everything leafmite said. Mine wouldn't bloom for 2 years. I had it growing in a medium bark mix, and watered it regularly, but no matter how much I watered, it would have shriveled bulbs. I gave it Oncidium light.

This past year I gave it Cattleya light, repotted in a fine fir bark with sphagnum top dressing. Lots and lots of water! Voila! Spikes galore!!!

[camille1585]

I also agree with the culture advice given. The one year mine bloomed was after a very sunny winter, so it was getting Catt level light (it's in a south window, so gets sun, when it's there, all day). Mine is potted in a mix of fine bark and sphag, and gets lots and lots of water. After watering I usually pour enough water in the saucer that it stays there a few days.

[My Green Pets]

All right! I was just given one of these, and it has lots of these little things coming up, are they going to be flowers? If so, how many flowers are there per 'spike' ?

[camille1585]

Lots like new growth. Bloom spikes are not so pointy, and usually come from the 2nd or 3rd bract rather than right up against the bulb. Don't despair though, mine started new growths before putting out spikes. And it's one bloom per spike!

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Is the schunkeana fragrant? I just bought a Max. alba.

Schunkeana is not fragrant but the color makes up for it! And thanks to Camille and Bulbofett for culture advice!

[debrasoon]

Oh wow. Why didnt I read this earlier. Mine are in almost completely dry conditions on charcoal. Shall put more spaghmum in now. No buds.in sight yet but fatter bulbs now

[dendro king]

I finally got a tenuifolia today, after two years on contemplating whether to get one or not!